Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, has stated that while mining in Ghana cannot be entirely stopped, it must be strictly regulated to protect the environment and local communities.
In an interview on GHOne TV, as reported by MyNewsGh, Gbande addressed the ongoing issue of illegal mining—commonly known as galamsey—and its devastating effects on forests and water bodies across the country.
“No government can completely ban mining in Ghana—it’s simply not realistic,” Gbande said. “What’s needed is tough regulation. Much of the environmental damage we see today stems from poor decisions by the previous administration, especially their careless allocation of mining lands to foreign companies without proper safeguards like reforestation or land reclamation.”
He pointed out that under former President John Mahama’s leadership, permits for mining in forest reserves were suspended, and measures were being taken to rally ministers and stakeholders against environmental destruction.
Gbande criticized both individuals and politicians who have failed to reclaim mined lands, calling for legal accountability.
“If you’ve mined in a forest reserve over the past eight years and didn’t restore the land, we know who you are. The local people know you. You should be arrested, prosecuted, and forced to repair the damage,” he emphasized.
Labeling illegal miners in restricted zones as “environmental terrorists,” Gbande assured that an NDC government under Mahama would enforce a strict ban on mining in rivers and forest reserves.
“The destruction is overwhelming,” he warned. “This crisis demands a united response. And when opposition members pretend to care in Parliament, Ghanaians must remember—they were the ones who started this mess.”
Source: MyNewsGh.com
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